Light modulation device module, image forming apparatus using the module, and driving method for the apparatus

Abstract

A light modulation device module includes a support member, a light modulation device provided on the support member, the light modulation device modulating a plurality of linear light beams in different wavelength bands, a driving unit configured to drive the light modulation device, and a light transmitting member provided on the light modulation device.

1 . A light modulation device module comprising:
 a support member;   a light modulation device provided on the support member, the light modulation device modulating a plurality of linear light beams in different wavelength bands;   a driving unit configured to drive the light modulation device; and   a light transmitting member provided on the light modulation device.   
   
   
       2 . The light modulation device module according to  claim 1 , wherein a plurality of the light modulation devices are provided corresponding to the plurality of light beams. 
   
   
       3 . The light modulation device module according to  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of light beams in the different wavelength bands are modulated in a plurality of sections in the light modulation device. 
   
   
       4 . The light modulation device module according to any one of  claims 1  to  3 , wherein the light modulation device includes light modulation elements of a diffraction grating type that are arranged one-dimensionally. 
   
   
       5 . An image forming apparatus comprising:
 a light source configured to emit light beams in different wavelength bands;   a light combining unit configured to combine the light beams from the light source;   a light modulation device module on which the light beams from the light source are incident after optical paths of the light beams are adjusted by the light combining unit;   a control unit configured to output a driving signal corresponding to an image signal to a light modulation device in the light modulation device module; and   a scanning optical unit configured to scan the light beams modulated by the light modulation device onto a display surface,   wherein the light modulation device module includes   a support member,   the light modulation device provided on the support member, the light modulation device modulating a plurality of linear light beams in different wavelength bands,   a driving unit configured to drive the light modulation device, and   a light transmitting member provided on the light modulation device.   
   
   
       6 . A driving method for an image forming apparatus, the method comprising the steps of:
 modulating linear light beams in different wavelength bands according to an image signal by a light modulation device of a one-dimensional diffraction grating type, the light modulation device being provided on a support member to form a light modulation device module; and   scanning the modulated light beams onto a display surface in a time division manner.   
   
   
       7 . The driving method according to  claim 6 , wherein a plurality of the light modulation devices are provided in the light modulation device module, and the light beams in the different wavelength bands are respectively modulated by the plurality of the light modulation devices. 
   
   
       8 . The driving method according to  claim 6 , wherein one light modulation device is provided in the light modulation device module, and the light beams in the different wavelength bands are modulated in sections of the light modulation device.